Namibia wants limited trade in Nile crocodile

NAMIBIA has petitioned the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (Cites) to allow limited trade in the endangered Nile crocodile. The ministry of environment and tourism forwarded the request to Cites headquarters in Geneva, along with another request to trade in ivory. The petitions will be considered at Cites' 13 Conference of Parties to be held in Bangkok, Thailand, in October. In Namibia, most Nile crocodiles are found in the Kunene River and the department hopes to trade in shoes, handbags and belts made from the reptile's skin, or souvenirs made from it teeth and claws. The Nile Crocodile was listed on Cites Appendix I as endangered in 1975. In 1995, there were only about 1 000 Nile crocodile of reproductive age in the world. (African Eye News Service)